Freaks: Year Two

Powerless

"He...he was found like this?"

"One of the students found him," Madam Pomfrey said, quietly. She had brought Jasper to the infirmary with her after telling Filch to go elsewhere as this was a pressing matter. "They brought him in immediately. They don't know what happened or...more of...who did it but I think we both have our suspect?"

Jasper nodded, feeling tears in his eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. Not again. This was exactly what Jasper had been afraid of and now it had happened all over again.

"This time, I will be contacting his parents myself," Madam Pomfrey said. "And I need to speak to the Headmaster in the morning. Something needs to be done this time, something–"

"More than a bunch of detentions?" Jasper asked.

She nodded. "Certainly."

Jasper looked back to his best friend who was now sleeping in the hospital bed. He looked peaceful. Jasper guessed Madam Pomfrey had given him a dreamless sleep potion. He needed that. He deserved it.

"Can I stay?"

"Of course."

Jasper thought she would have argued (he would have stayed if she had anyway) but he was thankful she hadn't. He took a seat in the next bed over about to lie down just as the doors to the Hospital Wing opened again.

Jasper wondered who it could be at this hour and that's when he heard crying. It was very quiet but Jasper was very familiar with the sound of someone trying to hide their tears. He looked over to see Madam Pomfrey approaching Alabaster Jackson who once again looked like he had been through something rough but this time, he was crying. He was trying not to, Jasper could see that and that's when he noticed something in his arms.

Jasper felt like this was private so he was thinking about what he should do when Madam Pomfrey asked for him to stay with Alabaster while she got a quick new supply of potions from Professor Slughorn's storeroom.

He watched as Alabaster cradled whatever was in his arms and Jasper slowly got up and approached him. "Do you want to sit down?"

"N-No." Alabaster looked up to Jasper. He had not thought others would be in the Hospital Wing at this hour. "What happened to you?"

"Nothing but..." Jasper indicated to Harry behind him. "He got...hurt is all. I am staying with him. Why are you here?" Jasper was trying to see what was in his arms but whatever was close to his chest.

Alabaster looked behind where Jasper was indicating and his eyes were wide. "I am sorry. It is all my fault. I...my...my cousin did this, I am sure of it and I am so sorry. It is my fault."

"Did...you plan this...?"

"No!" Alabaster exclaimed. "I would never but my cousin was furious with me tonight about the tutoring because he somehow found out about it and now..." He indicated to Harry who was asleep. It was unclear what the injuries were in Alabaster's eyes but he knew what Theodore was capable of. "This happened."

Alabaster took a seat on the floor and Jasper slowly took a seat next to him, crossing his legs and he gave Alabaster a once over, seeing that he was still holding whatever in his arms close. "And what happened to you?"

Alabaster looked straight ahead, eyes red. "Theodore hurt my owl...and a rat. He threw the rat down the stairs and he...he...hurt m-my friend..." His voice trailed off.

Jasper looked in Alabaster's arms and saw a small owl and a rat in his arms. They were both unmoving. Jasper felt sick to his stomach. "I...I am so sorry."

"He c-could be d-dead," Alabaster stuttered out. "He's my b-best fr-friend. I-I d-don't want him to be...dead..."

"He isn't going to be dead," Jasper tried to reassure him. "Madam Pomfrey is just getting some of the potions she needs for him and it all will be okay. He is going to be okay."